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Task Start & Seek

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Lesson Plan

Task Start & Seek

Students will learn and practice strategies for independently starting tasks and effectively communicating when they need help, fostering self-reliance and problem-solving skills.

Developing the ability to start tasks and ask for help empowers students to overcome challenges, reduce procrastination, and engage more deeply with their learning. These are essential life skills beyond the classroom.

Audience

4th Grade Students (Small Group)

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through discussion, examples, and practice, students will build confidence in initiating work and seeking support.

Materials

Small whiteboards or paper and markers for each student, Starting Strong Slide Deck, Helpful Hands Activity, and Quick Check Cool Down

Prep

Preparation Steps

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Brainstorming Blast!

5 minutes

  1. Begin with the Warm-Up: Brainstorming Blast activity.
    2. Ask students to quickly brainstorm and share one thing that makes it hard to start a task.
    3. Discuss a few responses, validating their feelings.

Step 2

Introducing the 'Starting Strong' Strategy

10 minutes

  1. Use the Starting Strong Slide Deck to introduce strategies for starting tasks.
    2. Go through each strategy, providing simple examples relevant to 4th graders.
    3. Have students share personal examples for each strategy if comfortable.

Step 3

Activity: Helpful Hands Scenarios

10 minutes

  1. Introduce the Helpful Hands Activity.
    2. Present different scenarios where students might need to start a task or ask for help.
    3. In small groups or pairs, have students discuss how they would use the strategies learned and role-play asking for help.
    4. Circulate to provide support and feedback.

Step 4

Wrap-Up: Quick Check

5 minutes

  1. Conclude the lesson with the Quick Check Cool Down.
    2. Have each student answer the cool-down questions about what they learned.
    3. Collect their responses as an exit ticket.
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Warm Up

Warm-Up: Brainstorming Blast!

Think about a time you had a big task to do, like a long math worksheet or cleaning your room. What made it hard to start that task?

Write down one idea on your whiteboard or paper.





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Slide Deck

Starting Strong: Let's Get Going!

Do you ever feel stuck before you even begin a task?

Today, we'll learn some superpowers to help us start strong and know when to ask for a helpful hand!

Welcome students and introduce the goal of the lesson: learning how to start tasks and ask for help. Acknowledge that starting can be tough!

Superpower #1: Break It Down!

Big tasks can feel overwhelming!

Imagine a giant cookie. You can't eat it all at once, right?

Strategy: Break your task into small, bite-sized pieces. Tackle one piece at a time!

Example: Instead of 'Clean my room,' try 'Put away clothes,' then 'Organize my desk,' then 'Make my bed.'

Explain that big tasks can feel like climbing a mountain. Ask students for examples of big tasks they've had. Then introduce the 'Break It Down' strategy.

Superpower #2: Gather Your Tools!

Ever start a drawing and realize you don't have crayons?

It's frustrating to stop and search for things.

Strategy: Before you start, make sure you have everything you need: pencils, paper, books, instructions, or anything else!

Example: For homework, gather your textbook, notebook, pencil, and eraser before you even open your backpack.

Discuss the importance of having materials ready. Ask students what happens when they don't have all their supplies. Introduce 'Gather Your Tools'.

Superpower #3: Just Start!

Sometimes, the hardest part is just beginning.

It's like jumping into a swimming pool! Once you're in, it's easier.

Strategy: Tell yourself you'll work for just 5 minutes. Often, once you start, you'll want to keep going!

Example: Just open your math book and look at the first problem. You don't have to solve it yet, just look.

Emphasize that the first step is often the hardest. Encourage students to just try for a short time. Introduce 'Just Start!'

Superpower #4: Helpful Hands!

It's okay not to know everything or to get stuck!

Asking for help is smart, but how you ask matters.

Strategy:

  1. Try for yourself first.
  2. When you get stuck, explain what you've tried and what you need help with.
  3. Ask clearly: "I tried to solve problem 3, but I'm stuck on how to divide these numbers. Can you show me an example?"

Who can you ask for help? (Teacher, parent, friend, older sibling)

Explain that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Discuss how to ask for help effectively. Introduce 'Helpful Hands'.

Starting Strong & Seeking Help

Remember our superpowers:

  1. Break It Down!
  2. Gather Your Tools!
  3. Just Start!
  4. Helpful Hands!

Now, let's practice using them!

Review the strategies briefly and transition to the activity.

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